On Monday, January 12, officers served a search warrant at a Banyan Drive apartment and recovered a gram of crystal methamphetamine, or “ice,” numerous smoking pipes and a zolpidem tablet. They arrested June Killmer, 39, Travis Burton, 25, and Charles Bishop, 40, all of the Banyan Drive address. The three were release pending further investigation.

Later that afternoon, East Hawaii Vice Section officers received a tip that a drug deal was going to take place in the Ainaola Park parking lot in Hilo. After observing what appeared to be a drug transaction from her vehicle, officers stopped Denise Mejia, 33, of a Kaumana address. The Vice Section’s narcotic canine, Li’i, alerted officers to the presence of illegal drugs in the vehicle, and a search warrant was obtained. Acting on the search warrant, officers recovered 5.2 grams of crystal meth, 1.2 grams of marijuana and $1,091 in cash. Mejia, who was out on federal supervised release on a previous drug charge, was taken into custody and subsequently turned over to federal authorities for further detention.

On Wednesday, January 14, Hilo Ice Task Force officers served a search warrant at a residence at an Iolani Street address in Hilo. During the search, officers recovered 3.5 grams of crystal meth, scales and packets. The officers arrested Julia Kaulukukui, 24, and Chad Chaves, 29, both of the Iolani Street address. Chaves, who was on parole, had his parole revoked and was being held at the Hawaii Community Correctional Center. Kaulukukui was released pending further investigation.

Later that afternoon, Task Force officers serving a search warrant at an Ohai Street address in Hilo recovered 3.4 grams of crystal meth, a digital scale and $3,880 in cash. The occupants were not at home at the time, but officers have identified them and issued an all-points bulletin for them. They are continuing the investigation.

Finally, on Friday, January 16, Task Force officers obtained a search warrant and searched a Luakaha Street residence, located off Kaiwiki Road, in Hilo. There they found 35.9 grams of cocaine and more than a pound of dried marijuana, 805 marijuana seedlings and six firearms, including a “sawed-off” 20-gauge shotgun. They arrested Manuel “Manny” Villaluz, 47, and his wife, Sally Villaluz, 48. Manuel Villaluz was charged with 11 offenses and is being held on $14,500 bail. Sally Villaluz was released pending further investigation.